Red Bull’s new signing Pierre Gasly may be gearing up for his biggest year in motorsport to date, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a little fun first – and with that in mind, the Frenchman has signed himself up for the 2019 Race Of Champions in Mexico.

The event, taking place on January 19-20 at the Foro Sol stadium in Mexico City – a venue F1 fans will be familiar with, given that the Mexican Grand Prix circuit passes through it – will see Gasly partner up with Le Mans winner Loic Duval for Team France in the ROC Nations Cup, before Gasly then goes after individual glory against the likes of Tom Kristensen, David Coulthard and current rival Sebastian Vettel in the Race Of Champions main event.

“It’s a big honour to be taking part in the Race Of Champions for the first time,” said Gasly. “I’ve known about the event for many years, and I’m excited to see how it works first-hand at last.

“I know France has a rich tradition of driving success at the event so I’m looking forward to aiming for another strong performance in partnership with Loic in the ROC Nations Cup.”

Should Gasly and Duval triumph in the ROC Nations Cup, it will mark the first victory for France since 2004, when Jean Alesi was paired up with Citroen rally star Sebastien Loeb, while in the individual competition, France has seen Loeb, Sebastien Ogier and current Haas driver Romain Grosjean celebrate victory in recent years.